25 is also an important impact factor among various components.

Objective To examine the correlation of serum neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) with dialysis adequacy,microinflammatory state and iron metabolism,and to assess the value of NGAL in identifying the dialysis adequacy in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients.Methods A total of 150 MHD patients and 50 healthy control people were enrolled in the study.Clinical data were collected and serum NGAL,CRP,transferrin saturation,serum ferritin were measured.MHD patients were divided into adequacy group and non-adequacy group according to spKt/V value.Serum NGAL between two groups was compared and correlation of NGAL with spKt/V,inflammatory factors,and other clinical indexes was examined by Pearson,multivariate regression Logistic model and area under curve (AUC) of ROC.MHD patients were followed up for 3 months.Similar correlation analysis was carried out before and after follow up between two groups.Results Serum NGAL of MHD patients was higher compared to healthy people [(445.45±50.34) μg/L vs (50.02 ±6.45) μg/L].Among 150 MHD patients,95 were classified into adequacy group,while 55 into non-adequacy group according to spKt/V value.Serum NGAL was significantly higher in adequacy group as compared to non-adequacy group [(589.14±56.34) μg/L vs (360.13±46.23) μg/L,P＜0.05].Serum NGAL was positively correlated to spKt/V,CRP,TSAT [r=0.652,0.825,0.785,all P＜0.05],but not to serum ferritin.Serum NGAL was also correlated to spKt/V,CRP,TSAT by multivariate regression Logistic model.AUC showed that NGAL level could reflex the condition of dialysis adequacy.During the follow up,all adequacy patients remained the same adequacy status.Thirty-eight out of 55 non-adequacy patients were qualified for complete adequacy after intervention.The serum NGAL before and after intervention was (368.14±56.21) μg/L and (360.56±46.23) μg/L respectively without significant difference.Conclusions Serum NGAL is obviously higher in MHD patients with dialysis adequacy compared to those without dialysis adequacy.Serum NGAL is positively correlated to spKt/V,CRP,TSAT.NGAL can reflex the condition of dialysis adequate in MHD patients.

Proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) is a common radiographic finding after long spinal fusion. A number of studies on the causes, risk factors, prevention, and treatment of PJK have been conducted. However, no clear definition of PJK has been established. In this paper, we aimed to clarify the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of PJK by reviewing relevant papers that have been published to date. A literature search was conducted on PubMed using "proximal junctional", "proximal junctional kyphosis", and "proximal junctional failure" as search keywords. Only studies that were published in English were included in this study. The incidence of PJK ranges from 5% to 46%, and it has been reported that 66% of cases occur 3 months after surgery and approximately 80% occur within 18 months. A number of studies have reported that there is no significantly different clinical outcome between PJK patients and non-PJK patients. One study showed that PJK patients expressed more pain than non-PJK patients. However, recent studies focused on proximal junctional failure (PJF), which is accepted as a severe form of PJK. PJF showed significant adverse impact in clinical aspect such as pain, neurologic deficit, ambulatory difficulties, and social isolation. Numerous previous studies have identified various risk factors and reported on the treatment and prevention of PJK. Based on these studies, we determined the clinical significance and impact of PJK. In addition, it is important to find a strategic approach to the proper treatment of PJK.
Diagnosis* ; Epidemiology ; Humans ; Incidence ; Kyphosis* ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Risk Factors ; Social Isolation ; Spinal Fusion

Objective To evaluate the effect of parathyroid hormone (PTH) on the expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in human renal tubular epithelial cells, and to explore the role of MAPK signaling pathway. Methods Real time RT-PCR, Western blot, and reporter gene assay were employed to detect PTH-induced CTGF expression in HK-2 cells. Inhibitors (PD98059 and U0126) of MAPK signaling pathway were used to confirm involved signal pathway. Results HK-2 cells had basic expression level of CTGF mRNA and protein, which were increased significantly after treatment with PTH. The luciferase activity was up-regulated to a higher level as compared with control group after treatment with 10-10 mol/L PTH for 12 h [(1.8884±0.0780) vs (0.9891±0.0300) A, P<0.01]. Moreover, a small amount of p-ERK1/2 was detected in normal HK-2 cells, but it was increased significantly in response to PTH activation, most remarkably when treated with 10-10 mol/L PTH for 30 min. Inhibitors of MAPK signaling pathway, PD98059 and U0126, noticeably inhibited the expression of CTGF mRNA and protein as well as gene promoters in HK-2 cells. Conclusion PTH can induce higher expression of CTGF in HK-2 cells probably via MAPK signaling pathway.

Objective To investigate the effect of parathyroid hormone (PTH) on the transition and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) expression of human renal proximal tubular epithelial cell line HK-2 . Methods The expression of CTGF mRNA and protein of HK-2 cells were measured by real time RT-PCR and Western blot respectively . The effect of PTH on the phenotypic transformation of HK-2 cells was examined by light microscopy . The expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in HK-2 cells was detected by immunofluorescence . Results Basal level of CTGF mRNA and the protein expression were detected in HK-2 ceils . PTH upregulated the expression of CTGF mRNA and protein with the maximal response at the concentration of 10-10 mol/L and the best stimulating time was at 72 h . After exposure to PTH (10-10tool/L) for 12 hours, the highest level of luciferase activity was 1 .96 fold as compared to control (1 .888±0 .078 vs 0 .989±0 .030, P＜0 .01 ) . Untreated cells showed negligible expression of ±-SMA,whereas ±-SMA expression was significantly increased in cells treated with PTH . Conclusion PTH up-regulates CTGF expression and induces transition of HK-2 cells .

PURPOSE: To retrospectively reviewed the outcomes and advantages of minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) technique as a new treatment of distal tibial metaphyseal fracture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nineteen distal tibial metaphyseal fractures were treated by MIPO technique and evaluated radiologically and functionally. A mean age was 46 years old (range 20~69 years) and a mean follow-up was 15 months (range 6~37 months). Sixteen fractures were not extended into ankle joint (AO/OTA type A1;4, A2;8, A3;4) and three fractures were extended into ankle joint (AO/OTA type C1;2, C2;1). Two cases were open fractures (type I;1, type III-A;1) according to the Gustilo-Anderson classification. RESULT: At a mean of 18 weeks (range 12 to 24), all fractures united without secondary procedures. A mean score was 94.2 point by Baird ankle scoring system. There were no complications including shortening over 1 cm, mal-alignment over 5 degrees, deep infection, or implant failure. CONCLUSION: MIPO technique of distal tibial metaphyseal fracture is a worthwhile method with good unions and functional recovery.
Ankle ; Ankle Joint ; Classification ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fractures, Open ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies

Osteoporosis is a common bone disease in postmenopausal women that leads to an increased risk of fracture. In osteoporosis, the bone mineral density (BMD) is reduced, and bone micro- and macroarchitecture deteriorates. Osteoporosis is defined by the World Health Organization as a BMD of 2.5 standard deviations or more below the mean peak bone mass (average of young and healthy adults) as measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Diagnosis of osteoporosis can be made using BMD measurement. The most popular method of measuring BMD is DEXA. In treatment, we can use various exercises and nutritional supplementation, medications, and lifestyle modification for the prevention of fractures.
Absorptiometry, Photon ; Bone Density ; Bone Diseases ; Exercise ; Female ; Humans ; Life Style ; Osteoporosis ; World Health Organization

Purpose: This study aims to analyze pre-clerkship medical students’ learning strategies and perceptions in online classes during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Methods: To develop the survey items, 20 pre-clerkship students were interviewed about their learning experiences in the first semester of 2020. A total of 425 pre-clerkship students have participated in the survey, which comprised four parts (general experience, learning strategies, important features, and overall satisfaction). Results: Before classes began, students generally had “neutral expectations” about online classes (2.90 out of 5). At the end of the semester, overall satisfaction with the curriculum was moderate (3.04 out of 5). Premedical students reported lower scores in “daily study hours” and “regular lifestyle” and higher scores in “experience of playing recorded lectures solely for an attendance check” (p<0.001). In addition, first-year premedical students not only showed significantly lower utilization of learning strategies compared to other grades (p<0.001). Conclusion Although pre-clerkship students mostly shared similar perceptions and behaviors in their learning regardless of grade level, some characteristics were either more prominent in premedical students on the whole or limited to first-year premedical students.

Purpose: This study aims to analyze pre-clerkship medical students’ learning strategies and perceptions in online classes during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Methods: To develop the survey items, 20 pre-clerkship students were interviewed about their learning experiences in the first semester of 2020. A total of 425 pre-clerkship students have participated in the survey, which comprised four parts (general experience, learning strategies, important features, and overall satisfaction). Results: Before classes began, students generally had “neutral expectations” about online classes (2.90 out of 5). At the end of the semester, overall satisfaction with the curriculum was moderate (3.04 out of 5). Premedical students reported lower scores in “daily study hours” and “regular lifestyle” and higher scores in “experience of playing recorded lectures solely for an attendance check” (p<0.001). In addition, first-year premedical students not only showed significantly lower utilization of learning strategies compared to other grades (p<0.001). Conclusion Although pre-clerkship students mostly shared similar perceptions and behaviors in their learning regardless of grade level, some characteristics were either more prominent in premedical students on the whole or limited to first-year premedical students.

PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to compare anterior fusion surgery with combined fusion surgery and to evaluate the efficacy of a combined fusion procedure in the surgical treatment of spinal tuberculosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From March 1990 to March 1998 thirty-four patients who had with spinal tuberculosis were divided into two groups depending on the surgical treatment methods that were to be used; one group consisted of twenty-two patients who were treated by an anterior fusion surgery, and the other group consisted of twelve patients who were treated by an combined fusion surgery. There were twelve males and twenty-two females who had a mean age of 45.6 year old in the study. The mean follow-up period was four years and six months. The clinical and radiological results that were obtained were evaluated. RESULTS: In anterior fusion group, the mean loss of the corrected kyphotic angle was 6.9 degrees and an excellent or good result was shown in nineteen patients (86.4%). In the combined fusion group, the mean loss in the corrected kyphotic angle was 5.6 degrees and an excellent or good result was shown in ten patients (83.3%). There was no significant statistical difference between the two groups. CONCLUSION: We conclude that an anterior radical excision of the involved body and an anterior fusion was the appropriate method for surgical treatment of spinal tuberculosis, and combined fusion should be carefully considered.
Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Tuberculosis, Spinal*